Specific Hardware">Specific - Photos & Ideas

Iron Fence Painting in Wicker Park: A Windy City Painters Case Study Iron fence painting in Wicker Park is one of the most requested exterior services Windy City Painters performs each season, and this recent project shows exactly why. Set behind an ornate 1890s greystone two-flat, the client's wrought iron fence had endured years of Chicago winters without professional attention. Rust had spread across the pickets, the original black enamel was flaking away in sheets, and the fence's structural hardware had begun to loosen at several joints. As the trusted local expert for Chicago's North Side and Near West Side, Windy City Painters approached this project the same way we approach every iron fence painting job in Wicker Park: with a methodical, multi-step process designed to outlast Midwest weather rather than simply mask the damage. The Process, Step by Step Step 1 — Rust Removal and Surface Preparation. Our crew wire-brushed and mechanically ground every rusted section down to clean, stable metal. For pitted or heavily corroded areas, we applied a chemical rust converter to neutralize corrosion at the molecular level before any coating touched the surface. Furthermore, because this greystone was built well before 1978, Windy City Painters tested the existing paint layers for lead and followed strict containment protocols throughout the removal process. Step 2 — Spot Repairs. Loose pickets were re-secured, small pits were filled, and hardware at the gate hinges was tightened. In contrast to a quick spray-paint refresh, this stage ensures the fence is structurally sound before a single drop of primer goes on. Step 3 — Priming. A full coat of rust-inhibiting primer, engineered specifically for ferrous metal, was applied by brush to every surface — with particular attention to welds and joints where moisture tends to collect and restart the corrosion cycle. Step 4 — Topcoat Application. Two finish coats of industrial-grade, direct-to-metal enamel were applied by brush and roller. This built a durable, uniform barrier in classic gloss black, the most popular finish among Wicker Park's historic properties. Finally, our team inspected every inch of the fence for thin spots or missed sections before calling the job complete. Project Specs Surface: Ornamental wrought iron fence, posts, and gate hardware Products used: Rust-inhibiting DTM primer, chemical rust converter, industrial-grade direct-to-metal enamel Coats applied: 1 primer coat, 2 finish coats Finish: Gloss black Timeline: Completed in under two days Advice for Wicker Park Homeowners Before starting a similar iron fence painting project in Wicker Park, homeowners should keep a few things in mind. Notably, never paint directly over active rust — trapped moisture underneath will cause the new coat to fail within a season. Additionally, always ask whether a contractor tests for lead paint on pre-1978 homes, since many Wicker Park greystones fall into that category. Meanwhile, hand brushwork matters: the intricate scrollwork common on Wicker Park ironwork requires careful, detailed application that spray equipment simply cannot replicate. Therefore, hiring a crew experienced specifically in historic Chicago ironwork, like Windy City Painters, makes a measurable difference in the finished result. Windy City Painters also handles related exterior and interior work for Wicker Park properties, including interior painting, drywall and plaster repair, and additional metal refinishing for porches and railings. Iron fence painting in Wicker Park protects one of the neighborhood's most defining architectural features while restoring curb appeal instantly. As a result, this greystone now has a fence that matches the quality of the home behind it — and will hold up through many more Chicago winters. See more of our work and request a free estimate at www.windypainters.com. Ready to transform your Wicker Park home? Contact Windy City Painters for a free estimate — visit www.windypainters.com today. Proudly serving Wicker Park, West Town, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Ukrainian Village, River North, and all of Chicago.

Bebarta

Kitchens of Diablo

Modern California Farmhouse style primary bathroom. Three different cabinetry materials all brought together seamlessly by the beautiful Cambria Quartz countertops in Beaumont. Waterfall edge detail around the Knotty Alder make-shift medicine cabinet. The shower curbs and wall caps are quartz material from Q-Quartz (MSI) - Carrara Caldia. Luxury Vinyl plank flooring from MSI - Andover Series: Blythe 7x48. Barn door entry into the closet by California Closets. Barn door from Rustica Hardware in Alder with the Dark Walnut Stain, flat black hardware, Valley hand pull, spoked garrick wheel - top mounted. Cabinetry from Dura Supreme in paintable and knotty alder material. Cabinetry door style is a shaker door style with a bead - the cabinetry paint colors are specific to Dura Supreme and they are Dove and Cast Iron. The knotty alder has a stain with a glaze specific to Dura Supreme called Cashew with Coffee Glaze. Pendant lights bring down the look point with a cluster of three over the make-up area and three surrounding the main vanity. Pendants by Kichler in a clear ribbed glass and olde bronze. Light fixture over free-standing tub is from Hubbardton Forge. Interestingly shaped frosted glass with a soft gold finish. Shower decorative tile is Comfort-C in Beige Rug, it is a porcelain tile. Field tile is from Richards & Sterling, it is a textured beige large format tile. The shower floor is finished off with penny rounds in a neutral color. Paint is from Benjamin Moore - the Revere Pewter (HC-172). Cabinetry hardware is from Berenson and Amerock. Knobs from Amerock line (Oberon Knob - in golden champagne and frosted); Pulls are from Berenson's Uptown Appeal collection (Swagger pull in various sizes in the Modern Brushed Gold finish). All plumbing fixtures are from Brizo's Litze collection. Freestanding tub is from Barclay, sinks are from Toto.

Sophistication meets Townhouse Kitchen

Crystal Kitchen + Bath

Most designers will tell you the most difficult project is to work on is your own home. My kitchen remodel was no different for me. We loved our previous downtown loft with the large open spaces and wanted to recreate that feel in our new suburban townhouse. The townhome had wonderful views of the woods but lacked an open floor plan, sophisticated finishes and character we desired. The original kitchen, though open to the living area, had two small islands. One cut the kitchen off from the living areas. The other island had the cooktop and not the sink as I had wished. In fact the sink faced the wall. The challenge was to improve the flow of the room, take advantage of the view and make it more conducive for entertaining. The island was expanded to hold the sink and seating to gather while entertaining. It faces the living space and the views of the woods. All the appliances including a steam oven and TV had to be located on the wall behind the island. A custom appliance cabinet was designed to hold the microwave drawer, steam oven and TV. That unit along with the refrigerator and range make the entire wall appear balanced without being cluttered. With a large open plan, the finishes needed to be as sophisticated as the adjacent living room. The furniture quality cabinetry is creamy white with a grey highlight and the island is a natural stained walnut; colors and materials that are repeated throughout the house. The backsplash tile is a custom cut limestone that matches the new fireplace surround in the adjacent living room. Mission accomplished – the new space is opened up. It’s far more organized and sophisticated. And it functions perfectly while entertaining in our “loft in the woods”.

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